// Transmission Log Entered
Aquatium
The machines made a request and now it was time for Niobe to meet the machines. Did they machines think that Zion would give up such data so easily, I didn't know what the council had decided by I hope they don't put us at any risk. We need to be vigilant, and machines who truly fail to understand mankind think they can detect people like Anome before they happen. Insanity prerequisites? I wonder what they do would to innocent ppl who just fit in their "check list".
Tyndall was in contact, I was asked to meet Ghost before the meeting, I made my way to his location.
Aquatium
I think Ghost thinks a lot, this is both good and bad for him, I hope he remains vigilant on the tasks ahead of us.
I made my way inside and met with Ghost.
Ghost
Niobe is not happy about the Machine request for access to the Zion mainframe. Keep that in mind when you get your instructions from her. I'm going to be at the meeting, and so will you. If it looks like she's about to go ballistic on the Machines, we'll create some kind of distraction to give her time to cool down, all right?
Also... I understand that Agent Pace is going to be there. I want you to check her reaction to the meeting. I...need to find out how this new Agent thinks.
Aquatium
I'll be ready, we all need to keep our cool over this.
Ghost
We've got to keep our heads in there. Last thing we need is some kind of "diplomatic incident."
Aquatium
Agreed, I'm sure Niobe will remain calm and do whats best for Zion.
I left to meet Niobe, since she sent a tranmission to me to meet as well.
Aquatium
If she is missing something, then I'm sure this will stir her fire for Zion again.
Zion Destroyer
The Captain's waiting for you.
Zion Physician
Why are the Machines causing problems? Yeah, Anome was a pain, but hell, it was their cheat codes he used. I don't see them offering to give us oversight on their coding processes.
Aquatium
They seem to want to get everything from us and tell us nothing in return, Machines....trust them I certainly don't.
Niobe
I'm glad you're here. Look, leave the debating to me. If they think they can just come around with demands, they're going to learn a thing or two today.
I want you to keep an eye on Ghost. He met with Pace again after their officially arranged meeting. It's not that I don't trust him, it's just that...he may not realize what he's getting into.
Aquatium
Will do Capt Niobe, I hope you can achieve what we need from this meeting, I hope... I know you will do the right thing, we have been worried about you since the whole Anome incident.
Niobe
No, don't worry about me; I'm fine. Just stay on your toes in there.
Aquatium
Of course, I will remain vigilant.
It was now time for the meeting, I made my way to the location where everyone was already present.
Aquatium
Just as I walked in I could hear Niobe talking to Agent Gray.
Niobe
That's wrong; we had a deal. Now you want more from us? Fine. How about you give us more access, too? I'm talking access keys, bluepill databases, police records, surveillance scans... Fair's fair, right? Example: we could have used information on Pendhurst-Amaranth when Anome was trying to take over the city.
Agent Gray
We...do not believe that such access would be in the best interests of the System's safety. However, I will...inquire.
Aquatium
I went around speaking to those at the meeting to get as much intel as I could.
Agent Gray
Captain Niobe's counter-offer is somewhat...irregular.
Ghost
Niobe's handling herself well. I don't think the Machines anticipated those counter-demands. Now we'll see just how badly they want Zion mainframe access.
Aquatium
Yes, if they wish for the safety of the system and need our co-orperation then they must be willing to help us also.
Machine Howitzer
You Zionists just don't get it. Give you access to Machine records? Yeah, right. Next thing we know, they'd be bedside reading for every would-be terrorist in the simulation.
Agent Pace
Ciao, rossapillola. I thought I might see you here. Certainly, we will consider Niobe's request very carefully. This is a very important matter. We are very pleased to be here discussing these issues with Captain Niobe.
Now, you mustn't distract me, Aquatium; I have to work! I try very hard to concentrate on business, like your Ghost, and of course our Agent Gray.
Aquatium
Of course Pace, continue as you are. What do you think of the counter offer?
Agent Pace
I am sure that Agent Gray will return with an answer shortly.
Aquatium
I sure we all will be eager to hear that.
Niobe
Thanks for the vote of confidence. If Gray keeps beating around the bush, I'm going to tell him to wheel the Architect in here, so I don't have to keep dealing with his inefficient stooge.
Aquatium
Makes sense, after all he is the one who can give us the answers.
The meeting was now over and Niobe asked me to liase with her and Ghost for a debriefing.
Aquatium
Yes I would have liked to see that myself!
Niobe and Ghost were waiting inside.
Zion Karate Grandmaster
I don't know how Niobe can stand to be around those Agents. What would Morpheus say?
Aquatium
I don't know, but it's times like this you know he would have held his ground for Zion no matter what.
Ghost
I find it hard to believe that the Machines came up with this request for mainframe access just because of the Anome situation; and couldn't they have anticipated that we'd refuse? What's their real motivation here? We have to find answers.
Aquatium
The truth may not be so easy to come by, but answers we need.
Niobe
Thanks for your assistance at the meeting, Aquatium. I think we're more together than the Machines are. Gray knows just as well as I do that they'll never give us access to the information I asked for, but now he knows that he'll have to come up with a better excuse for getting into our mainframe. Ball's back in their court.
Aquatium
This might be the push we needed to get the real motivation for this and what they really want to achieve.
I did as you requested, Ghost was fine and calm throughout the meeting.
Niobe
I see. Thanks for checking up on Ghost. Sounds like he's still got his head on his shoulders--at least, as much as he has since the war ended. It's good to know I can rely on him.
Aquatium
Yes, having loyal operatives we can trust is most critical.
Ghost
Niobe's more in control of herself than she was before. I'm starting to think that the ordeal inside Anome's construct actually helped her.
Aquatium
You know what they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...
Aquatium
I hope the outcome of this helps to lead Zion to be where it should be, Neo fought for our freedom and we don't want to risk any compromise with these demands from machines.
Lets us see what they come back with now...
// Transmission Log End
